Ages: 7-11

If you haven't watched Hilda yet, start here. This show is what happens when you combine Scandinavian folklore, gorgeous animation, and actual emotional intelligence. Hilda is a blue-haired kid who moves from the wilderness to the city of Trolberg, where she befriends elves, giants, and various magical creatures while navigating the very real challenge of making new friends.

Why it works: The show treats kids like they can handle nuance. Characters make mistakes and have to deal with consequences. Hilda's mom is a real person with her own concerns, not just a cardboard cutout parent. The world-building is rich enough that adults won't be bored, and the episodes have genuine stakes without being traumatizing.

Parent heads-up: There are some mildly scary moments (trolls, mysterious creatures), but the show handles tension really well. It's spooky without being nightmare fuel. Each episode is about 25 minutes, perfect for that "one more episode" negotiation.

Ages: 8-12

Okay, hear me out on this one. Centaurworld is deeply weird. It's about a war horse who gets transported to a magical land where everything is a singing centaur (half-human, half-horse, all musical theater). The animation style shifts between serious and silly, the humor is absurdist, and there are songs about butts and farts alongside genuinely emotional moments about trauma and friendship.

Why it works: If your 8-year-old has a sense of humor about weird stuff, this show is brilliant. It's got the Adventure Time energy of being silly on the surface while dealing with real themes underneath. The main character, Horse, is dealing with PTSD from war (yes, really), and the show handles it with surprising depth while still being fun.

Parent heads-up: The tonal whiplash is real. You'll go from fart jokes to surprisingly heavy emotional moments. Some kids love this; others find it confusing. The first few episodes are the weirdest—if you can get through those, you're golden. Also, you WILL get the songs stuck in your head.

Ages: 7-10

Set 1,300 years after the How to Train Your Dragon movies, this show follows a new generation of kids who discover dragons living in a fissure near their parents' research station. It's got the dragon-riding adventure without the intense battle scenes from the original films.

Why it works: If your kid loved the How to Train Your Dragon universe but you felt the movies got a bit too intense (Toothless losing his tail, the villain deaths, the war scenes), this is a gentler entry point. The kids are likeable, the dragons are cool, and each episode has a clear problem-solving structure that 8-year-olds can follow.

Parent heads-up: The animation quality isn't quite Pixar-level, and the storylines are more straightforward than the movies. But that's kind of the point—it's comfort viewing that won't give anyone nightmares. The episodes are about 24 minutes each.

Ages: 6-9

Based on the picture books by Andrea Beaty, Ada Twist is a young scientist who uses the scientific method to solve everyday problems with her friends Rosie (an engineer) and Iggy (an artist). Each episode tackles a question like "Why do things sink or float?" or "How do plants grow?"

Why it works: This is one of those rare educational shows that doesn't feel preachy. Ada's curiosity is infectious, and the show models actual problem-solving skills—forming hypotheses, testing them, learning from failure. The diverse cast and the way the show celebrates different types of intelligence (scientific, creative, engineering) is refreshing.

Parent heads-up: This skews slightly younger, so some 8-year-olds might feel like it's "baby stuff." But if your kid is into science, building things, or asking endless "why" questions, they'll probably dig it. Episodes are short (about 12 minutes), which makes it easy to fit in before school.

Ages: 5-8

Gabby shrinks down to play in her magical dollhouse with various cat characters, each with their own personality and skills. Each episode involves crafts, problem-solving, and catchy songs.

Why it works: This is on the younger end for 8-year-olds, but if your kid is into crafts, cats, or building things, it might still hit. The show is genuinely creative with its craft projects, and the episodic structure makes it easy to dip in and out. Plus, the positivity isn't cloying—the characters face real problems and work through them.

Parent heads-up: The live-action/animation hybrid style takes some getting used to. And yes, you will end up buying cat-themed craft supplies. The show is designed to sell toys, but at least the toys are actually creative (dollhouse playsets, craft kits) rather than just plastic junk.

Ages: 8-12

Based on the popular book series, this animated show follows 13-year-old Jack and his friends surviving a monster apocalypse. They've turned their town into a fortress, battle zombies and creatures, and try to figure out what caused the apocalypse in the first place.

Why it works: If your 8-year-old is ready for slightly edgier content, this scratches the adventure itch without being too scary. The monster designs are creative rather than terrifying, and the show has a great sense of humor. The friendship dynamics are solid, and there's actual character growth across seasons.

Parent heads-up: There's cartoon violence (fighting monsters, explosions) but no blood or gore. The apocalypse premise might be too intense for sensitive kids. The characters are 13, so there are some light crush/romance subplots, but nothing heavy. If your kid has read the books, they'll love seeing the story animated.

Ages: 5-9

Produced by the Obamas' production company, this show features two puppet friends who travel the world learning about food, cooking, and different cultures. Michelle Obama appears in each episode as the "supermarket owner" who sends them on missions.

Why it works: If your kid is a foodie or curious about cooking, this show is delightful. It's educational without being boring, and the puppetry is actually charming. The show celebrates trying new things and learning about different cultures through food, which is a great message.

Parent heads-up: This definitely skews younger, so your 8-year-old might roll their eyes at the puppet format. But if you watch together and actually try some of the recipes, it can be a fun bonding activity. The episodes are about 30 minutes.

Stranger Things - I know Netflix pushes this hard, but no. Just no. Your 8-year-old does not need body horror and existential dread yet.

Squid Game - The fact that this even needs to be said is wild, but yes, parents are letting elementary schoolers watch this. Don't be that parent.

Wednesday - The Addams Family reboot is everywhere, but it's genuinely meant for teens. The tone is dark, there's a serial killer plot, and the humor is pretty sophisticated.

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Okay, controversial take, but while this show is brilliant, it's better saved for 9-10+. The themes of genocide, war, and loss are heavy, and 8-year-olds often aren't ready to process them yet. When they're ready though, it's incredible.

At 8, kids are developing their own taste in media and will start advocating hard for what they want to watch. This is actually good—it's part of them developing independence and identity. But it also means you'll hear a lot of "but everyone at school watches it!"

Some real talk: Not everyone at school is actually watching the show your kid claims they're watching. Kids exaggerate and sometimes lie about media consumption to fit in. When you hear "everyone," translate it to "maybe three kids mentioned it once."

That said, there IS value in letting your kid watch some of the shows their friends are watching, even if they're not your favorite. Being completely out of the loop can be socially isolating. The key is finding the overlap between "what kids are actually watching" and "what's actually appropriate."

Questions to ask yourself:

Green flags for appropriate content:

Red flags:

Netflix's algorithm is optimized for engagement, not age-appropriateness. It will absolutely suggest content that's too old for your kid if it thinks they'll watch it. Here's how to fight back:

Set up a kids profile - Yes, even for your 8-year-old who insists they're "not a baby." The kids profile filters out mature content and gives you better control.

Use the maturity ratings - TV-Y and TV-Y7 are your friends. TV-G can go either way. Once you hit TV-PG, you're in "watch together first" territory.

Watch the first episode yourself - I know, I know, you don't have time. But 20 minutes now saves you from dealing with nightmares or awkward conversations later. Need help figuring out what to prioritize? Ask here.

Check Common Sense Media - Their age ratings are generally more conservative than Netflix's, which can be helpful for gauging content.

Talk about what they're watching - Not in an interrogation way, but genuine curiosity. "What do you like about that show?" "Who's your favorite character?" This gives you insight into what they're actually absorbing.

The best Netflix show for your 8-year-old is the one that matches their specific interests and maturity level. Hilda is probably the most universally appealing option—it's got adventure, humor, heart, and gorgeous animation. Centaurworld is perfect for kids who like weird, creative stuff. Dragons: The Nine Realms hits the sweet spot for dragon-obsessed kids who aren't quite ready for intense action.

The good news is that 8 is still young enough that you have significant control over what they watch. Use it wisely. In a few years, they'll be sneaking YouTube on their friend's phone and you'll be dealing with a whole different set of challenges.

For now, queue up Hilda, make some popcorn, and enjoy the fact that you can still watch together without eye rolls. It won't last forever.

Want more recommendations? Check out our guides on cozy games for kids, the best podcasts for 8-year-olds, or alternatives to YouTube when you need a screen break.